Las Vegas singer Elisa Furr reached a new level of international exposure recently when she won big on the first season of Jimmy Fallon’s Clash of the Cover Bands reality music competition series on the E! Network. Renowned as one of the most impressive Celine Dion tribute artists performing anywhere, Furr then took the perfect position in the new “Legendary Divas” version of Legends in Concert at the Tropicana Las Vegas, where she gets to blow audiences away every night alongside other terrific vocalists honoring the music of Cher, Lady Gaga and Adele. Furr first performed in Legends in 2015, but has actually been part of the local entertainment community for more than two decades, including a stint as a showgirl in the iconic Jubilee! at Bally’s.

What was that spark that inspired you to begin performing the music of Celine Dion?

I always say that it found me, I wasn’t looking for it. I was performing in the house band at a cigar lounge at Bally’s, and the people there were always talking and screaming and clapping, because it was that kind of place. But then I would sing (“My Heart Will Go On”) from Titanic, and it would get completely quiet; the first time, people just wouldn’t speak. I’d finish the song, and everybody would put $20 in the tip jar. And at that time, I had gotten pregnant, so the timing was perfect because when I (wasn’t performing) I put this tribute show together, created the charts, and studied her movements and started buying the costumes, then after the baby came and I did the mommy thing, I started heading out and doing concerts. And I got booked immediately because there aren’t a lot of live-singing Celine tributes.

And now you have rejoined the cast of Legends in Concert, certainly where you want to be if you’re a tribute artist in Las Vegas.

I had been auditioning for Legends for years before they hired me. I had done a Faith Hill (tribute) before. I was just so green, and so used to being a showgirl and the different ways of that kind of performance. But they gave me a chance and they’re my family now.

Is there extra energy with this “Legendary Divas” show because Celine and Adele were both unable to start their new Las Vegas residency shows as planned?

I’m sure that’s (true), but I think more than anything it’s four really strong vocalists who are known for hundreds of hits, artists all considered to be powerhouse vocalists, and the fact that they’re all female is another strength. There are so many factors that make this show special, but, yes, people are going crazy. We’re getting standing, roaring ovations every night.

As a veteran performer, what was the Clash of the Cover Bands TV experience like for you?

Well, everybody had their challenges during the pandemic, including me. When I finally got there, it had been 18 months since I sang (with an audience). It was like, is anything going to come out? But it was exhilarating and exciting and terrifying at the same time, and I had no idea I was going to win. I got a standing ovation from (judges) Adam Lambert and Meghan Trainor, so that was an emotional experience, and all positive.

It’s such a cool concept for a TV show and it really elevates and enlightens the idea of a tribute artist, which is a big thing in Las Vegas but not necessarily anywhere else.

That’s true, unless you live in Vegas or one of the places where this type of entertainment happens, the idea can be confusing. Not everyone understands that this is our entire life’s work, putting your everything into the costumes and studying the music and performances, and what type of skillset goes into this.

Tropicana Las Vegas, ticketmaster.com

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